Flying cutting device



June 4, 1940. K. w. HALLDEN 2,203,250

FLYING CUTTING DEVICE yFilled Jan. 14. 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 4, 1940. K, w, HALLDEN 2,203,260l

FLYING CUTTING Filed Jan. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 zgy MN @Il Z 13a #la a fy Az l of n 5:5

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This invention relates to improvements in iiylng cutting devices in which stock, for example, sheet metal, is continuously fed by feed-means to cutter-means which cut the stock into lengths without stopping the feed of the stock, and more particularly relates to flying cutting devices having means for adjusting the relative speed of the feed-means and cutter-means to accomplish different lengths of cut.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved flying cutting device having cuttermeans and feed-means with a separate drive motor for each, at least one of the drive motors being a synchronous electric motor and with electric synchronizing means interconnecting both drive motors, and infinitesimally-adjustable means interconnecting the cutter-means and feed-means.

With the above and other objects in view, as

2 will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the present disclosure, in which certain ways of carrying out the invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. l is a top plan diagrammatic view illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of still another modiiied form of the invention. In the description and claims, the various parts are identified by specified names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the prior art will permit.

Referring to the particular form of the invention illustrated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the feed-means in the form of feed-rolls I0 are driven through gearing II by drive-means in the form of an electric motor I2, although any other suitable form of drive-means may be used. Ihe gearing II drives one of the feed-rolls I0, the two feed-rolls being geared together to rotate at equal speeds in opposite directions in a usual manner. The drive-motor I2 is directly connected to an alternating current generator I3. A second drive-means in the form of a synchronous electric motor I4 which receives current from the alternating current generator I3 thus maintaining the two motors I2 and I4 in synchronism, drives the cutter-means in the form of cutter-rolls I5, through mechanism including a presettable innitesimally-adjustable speedratio-unit I6, a differential-gear unit I'I, a change-gear or step-gear unit I8, and synchronizing means I9. The differential-gear unit I1 is shown in a casing indicated by the broken 5 line I1a.

The particular form ol the cutter-means I5 and the synchronizing means I9 forms no part of the present invention and may be of any suitable type. Thus, instead of using the rotary lo cutter-means I5, any other suitable cutter-means, such for example as one of the well-known reciprocating or rocker type of cutter-means might be employed, and any suitable synchronizing means could also be used, or it could be omitted 15 when good synchronizing is not necessary.

The stock to be cut, which may, for example, be in the form of sheet metal 20, is continously fed by the feed-rolls II'I to cause the stock 20 to be fed in the direction of the arrow 2i to the 20 cutter-rolls I5, each of which carries a cutter-blade or shear-knife 22. In order to cut the stock 20 into any of various pre-selected lengths desired while the stock continues to be fed through the machine, it is necessary to change 25 the speed of either the feed-rolls I0 or the cutter-rolls I5, or both.`

The change-gear unit I8 provides for varying the relative speed between the feed-rolls I0 and the cutter-rolls I5 by a series of relatively-large 30 steps, while the differential-gear unit I1 and inflnitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit I6 provide'means for varying the relative speed ,between the feed-rolls and cutter-rolls by infinitesimally small adjustments, and by the particular relationship of the units I6 and I1 with the unit I8, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, any desired speed relation between the feed-rolls I0 and cutter-rolls I5 can be obtained.

'I'he synchronous electric motor It drives a nest of bevel gears 2z, 23, 24 and z5. Gear 2a i drives the input shaft 26 of the iniinitesimallyadjustable speed-ratio unit through shaft 21 and gears 28. The unit I6 has a'special sprocket chain 29 in driving relation between two pairs 45 of conical sprocket wheels 30 and 3l, the wheels of each pair of sprocket wheels being adjustable toward and from one another by suitable means, not shown, the particular unit I6 shown, being a commercial device known as the P. I. V. made 50 by the Link Belt Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Most of the power transmitted from the synchronous motor I4 to the cutter-rolls I5 is transmitted through the differential-gear unit I'I, a minor portion of the power passing through Il the innitesimally-adjustable unit I6 which can be set to give, through the worm 4I and wormgear 0, any desired speed of rotation of the differential-housing 36 within the range provided by the infinitesimal adjustability of the unit I6, to thus act as a control or governor for the differential-gear unit il to give any desired speed to the cutter-rolls l5.

The bevel gear 24 is secured to a shaft 32 which has a bevel gear 33 secured to its opposite end,

the bevel gear 33 being in driving relation withV two sun bevel gears 3d which are pivoted at 35 to the differential-housing 36. The sun gears 36 are in driving relation with a bevel gear 31 secured to the differential output shaft 38 coupled to a shaft 39 of the change-gear unit I8. 'Ihe differential-gear unit Il comprises the differential gears 33, 3Q and 3l and the differential housin 36.

worm gear Il is secured to the differential housing 36 and meshes with a worm di carried by or formed on a shaft 52 which is coupled to the output shaft 63 of the unit I6.

The shaft 39 is adapted to drive a shaft M through any one of four pairs of selectivelyengageable change-gears or step-gears 1.5, 46, di and Q8 by suitable actuation of one or the other of the clutch members i9 or 50. The gear secured to the shaft M and forming one of the pair of step-gears il drives a gear 52 secured to a shaft 53 which has secured thereto a worm which is in driving relation with a worm gear 55 on a shaft 56. The shaft 56 through a rst pair of eccentric synchronizinggears 51, a clutch 58, and a second pair of eccentric synchronizing gears 59, drives a shaft 6G which, in turn, drives one of the cutter-rolls I5, the two cutter-rolls being geared together to rotate at equal speeds in opposite directions in a usual manner. The detailed construction of units i6, I'I, I8 and I9 and their operations is more lfully described in applicants copending application, Ser. No. 167,- 192, filed October 4, 1937.

'Ihe pairs oi' change-gears or step-gears 65, 56, il and 48 provide means whereby the speed of rotation of the cutter-rolls I5 can be varied in relatively-large steps to thus correspondingly vary the length of cuts being made from(the stock fed therethrough by the feed-rollsy I0, and the innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit i6 in conjunction with the differential-gear unit Il provides innitesimally-adjustable means whereby the cutter-rolls I5 can have their speed varied by infinitesimal gradations covering the gaps between the pairs of step-gears 45, 46, 41 and G8. Thus, the step-by-step adjustment of the cutter-rolls i5 and the infinitesimal adjustment of the unit I6 together provide for complete iniinitesimal adjustment of the speed ratios between the cutter-means I5 and feed-means Iil over the whole range of the step-gears.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the construction and operation of the parts is essentially the same as for those illustrated in Fig. 1 and the parts bear corresponding reference numerals except those parts specically mentioned as having different numerals.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the drivemotor I2a drives the cutter-rolls I5 and drives the alternating-current generator I3a which supplies electric current for driving the synchronous electric motor Ida, which in turn drives theifeedrolls I0. Thus, in the Fig. 3 construction, the drive-motor I2a drives the cutter-rolls, whereas in the Fig. 1 construction, the corresponding drive-motor I2 drives the feed-rolls.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4 two synchronous electric motors Mb and Mc are maintained in synchronism by driving them from a single alternating current power source BI which may, for example, be either a central power plant or a special power plant located anywhere in or near the plant employing the flying cutting device of the present invention. The power unit 6I is illustrated in the drawings as having an alternating current generator 62 driven by any suitable motor or prime mover 63,

which, in the drawings is illustrated as a turbine.

The mode of driving the feed-rolls III and cutter-rolls I5 could be through mechanism arranged exactly the same as shown in Figs, l and 3. However, the particular construction illustrated in Fig. 4 is of the form more fully shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 250,897, led on even date herewith. 'Ihe motor Mb drives the feed-rolls I0 through the innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit ia and a differential-gear unit mounted in a casing Ib. The motor |40 drives the cutterrolls I5 through belt means 64 and change-gear unit I8a and synchronizing means I9'a.

By having the cutter-rolls and feed-rolls driven by separate motors maintained in synchronism by electric synchronizing means including electric wiring, which may be of any length, the two Adrive-motors can be placed as far apart as desired. Thus, the feed-rolls can be the last set of `rolling-mill rolls, if so desired. The electric synchronizing means in the forms of the inventionV shown in Figs. 1 and 3 includes an alternating current generator driven by one motor and connected by electric wires to the second motor, which is a synchronous electric motor, The electric synchronizing means in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 is the electrical wiring connecting the two synchronous motors to a single source of alternating current.

The invention may be carried out in other specic ways than those herein set forth without .departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative andmnot restrictivejand all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A flying cutting device comprising: cuttermeans and a cutter drive-motor therefor; feedmeans and a feed drive-motor therefor; at least one of said drive-motors being a synchronous electric motor; electric synchronizing means interconnecting both serving to maintain them in synchronism; and precision ininitesimally-adjustable means interconnecting said cutter-means and said feedmeans and including, a differential-gear unit having a differential output-shaft, and a presettable infinitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit having a rotatable connection with said differential-gear unit and adapted to rotate said connection to operatively control the speed of rotation of said differential output-shaft.

2. A flying cutting device comprising: cuttermeans and a cutter drive-motor therefor; feedof said drive-motors andmeans and a feed drive-motor therefor; at least one of said drive-motors being a synchronous electric motor; electric synchronizing means interconnecting both of said drive-motors and serving to maintain them in synchronism; and precision innitesimally-adjustable means interconnecting said cutter-means and said feed-means and including, a differential-gear unit having a differential output-shaft, and a presettable infinitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit having a rotatable mechanical-drive connection with said differential-gear unit and adapted to rotate said connection uninterruptedly and at substantiallyuniform angular speed at any adjustment of said innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit to operatively control the speed of rotation of said differential output-shaft.

3. A flying cutting device comprising: cuttermeans and a cutter drive-motor therefor; feedmeans and a feed drive-motor therefor; at least one of said drive-motors being a synchronous electric motor; electric synchronizing means interconnecting both of said drive-motors and serving to maintain them in synchronism; and precision inflnitesimally-adjustable means interconnecting said cutter-means and said feedmeans and including, a change-gear unit having a plurality of selectively-engageable pairs of change gears of different speed-ratios differing by relatively-large steps; a differential-gear unit having a differential output-shaft, and a presettable infxnitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit having a rotatable connection with said diilerential-gear unit and adapted to rotate said connection to operatively control the speed of rotation of said diierential output-shaft and having an innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio range at least equal to the speed-ratio range between each two successive speed-ratios provided by said pairs of change-gears and designed and adapted to be set to give and maintain any desired predetermined speed-ratio between each two successive speed-ratios provided by said pairs of change-gears; said change-gear unit, differentialgear unit, innitesimally-adjustable and speedratio unit together forming means designed and adapted to provide a continuous precision innitesimally-adjustable range oi speed-ratios between said cutter-means and said feed-means, over the whole range of steps provided by said pairs of change-gears.

4. A flying cutting device comprising: cuttermeans and a cutter drive-motor therefor; feedmeans and a feed drive-motor therefor; at least one of said drive-motors being a synchronous electric motor; electric synchronizing means interconnecting both of said drive-motors and serving to maintain them in synchronism; and precision innitesimally-adjustable means interconnecting said cutter-means and said feed-means and including a change-gear unit having a plurality of selectively-engageable pairs of change gears of different speed-ratios differing by relatively-large steps; a differential-gear unit having a differential output-shaft, and a presettable innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit having a rotatable mechanical-drive connection with said differential-gear unit and adapted to rotate said connection uninterruptedly and at substantially-uniform angular speed at any adjustment of said infinitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio unit to operatively control the speed of rotation of said diierential output-shaft and having an innitesimally-adjustable speed-ratio range at least equal to the speed-ratio range between each two successive speed-ratios provided by said pairs of change-gears'and designed and adapted to be set to give and maintain any desired predetermined speed-ratio between each two succesive speed-ratios provided by said pairs of changegears; said change-gear unit, differential-gear unit, innitesimally-adjustable and speed-ratio unit together forming means designed and adapted to provide a continuous precision infinitesimally-adjustable range of speed-ratios between said cutter-means and said feed-means, over the whole range of steps provided by said pairs of change-gears.

KARL W. HALIDEN. 

